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From Dick Moore to John Ehrlichman. RE: Alfalfa Dinner. 2 pgs. [Subject: Personal] [Memo], 1/23/1961
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WHSF: Contested, 51-8
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WHSF: Contested, 51-8
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From Dick Moore to John Ehrlichman. RE: Alfalfa Dinner. 2 pgs. [Subject: Personal] [Memo], 1/23/1961
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Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Contested Materials Files
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
Contested Materials Collection
Folder List
Box Number
Folder Number
Document Date
No Date
Subject
Document Type
Document Description
51
8
1/23/1961
Personal
Memo
From Dick Moore to John Ehrlichman. RE:
Alfalfa Dinner. 2pgs.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Page 1 of 1
DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD [NIXON PROJECT]
DOCUMENT
DOCUMENT
NUMBER
TYPE
SUBJECT/TITLE OR CORRESPONDENTS
DATE
RESTRICTION
N-1
memo
moore to JDE re alfolfs Dinner-
1/23/69
C
[DOC 145]
January 25, 1969
FILE GROUP TITLE
BOX NUMBER
PPF
46
FOLDER TITLE
Saturday, January 25, 1969 RESTRICTION Alfalfa CODES Club Dinner
A. Release would violate a Federal statute or Agency Policy.
E. Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
B. National security classified information.
financial information.
C. Pending or approved claim that release would violate an individual's
F. Release would disclose investigatory information compiled for law
rights.
enforcement purposes.
D. Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy
G. Withdrawn and return private and personal material.
or a libel of a living person.
H. Withdrawn and returned non-historical material.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
NA FORM 1421 (4-85)
Presidential Materials Review Board
Review on Contested Documents
Collection: President's Personal Files
Box Number:
46
Folder:
Saturday, January 25, 1969 Alfalfa Club Dinner
Document
Disposition
145
Return Private/Political
January 23, 1969
MEMORANDUM FOR JOHN EHRLICHMAN
FROM:
Dick Moore
SUBJECT: Alfalfa Dinner -- January 25, 1969
The Alfalfa dinner has taken on special importance every four
years. Coming only a few days after Inauguration, it is the new
President's first opportunity to display his lighter side and his wit.
The dinner guests are a prestigious and sophisticated group from
Washington and from all over the country and will include all the
"critics. 11 A top performance on Saturday night, in the best Nixon
style, can have an electric effect.
In short, I would love to see this brief speech given major thought
and attention in its preparation.
As per our conversation, I attach some suggested material, but
first I am outlining here a few points about the Alfalfa dinner that might
be helpful by way of background.
1. The principal speaker is the man who has been selected as
"Presidential nominee" on the "Alfalfa ticket. 11 He traditionally makes
a humorous speech of acceptance. This year the nominee is Harold
Stassen.
2
2. The President's remarks are the closing spot on the program.
Traditionally, the most successful speeches by Presidents have been
those where they kidded themselves or members of their own official
family, preserving the sharpest barbs for themselves. For instance,
it was at his first Alfalfa dinner that JFK made the remark about the
Attorney General (Bobby) getting some legal experience before going
into private practice.
3. At the dinner new members of Alfalfa will be inducted Saturday
night. One of them will be Vice President Agnew.
4. Under ordinary circumstances, one might be inclined not to
pay too much attention to Mr. Stassen. In this situation, however, I
believe it will be "be nice to Harold night" and he should be treated
kindly. Moreover I believe he makes an ideal foil for friendly humor.
5. I would urge that all humorous material be new. It's true that
the President already has a repertoire of excellent, proven material,
but this is one occasion where I think freshness is important.
(If you need anything further, you can reach me at the Statler Hotel,
Room 670-72 or, after Friday afternoon the Potter Stewart house
(362-0211)